Understanding preventative medicine begins with looking at the roots of hygienic practices from primitive man through some of the more modern preventative criteria. The main points are really about taking us from our everyday stresses to finding solutions that have long-lasting effects. Even though we have the Rh factor, the 'Pap' test and antibiotics for example, we are still miles away from how to have better health based on the wellness factors we are born with. We are a global community that likes to move around and to experience all things, everywhere. How do we travel, have life-work balance, and create wellness as a lifestyle rather than a 'diet' program we change with each approaching holiday?
When we look at this historically and at what has been written down, we can go back to hygienic codes dating from Leviticus to the medieval societies where syphilis was the 'scourge' of the Renaissance era, to Pasteur and the 'Golden Age of Bacteriology' and then to TB and the 'Great White Plague'. We've come a long way, haven't we?What is interesting to note is that medicine has always had its roots in herbal, fruit and flower extracts, essential oils and tinctures.
Even today in many countries, prescriptions are still based on herbal remedies or what we know of as Aromatic Therapy.Fast forward to today, and we now have (PMST) or Preventative Medicine Systems and Therapies, which is based on natural resources, diet and supplements. Add water and exercise and we almost have a complete prescription for better health.
And though not focused on cures for diseases, the thought is to align with building a preventative structure that can be practiced from inception to our old age. So by evolving, creating anew and practicing more universal health systems vs. allopathic, we then are off to a good start by combining integrative modalities and disciplines 'that work' well together for everyone.
Some integrated solution components include:NutritionAromatic TherapiesAromatic TherapiesYoga & other fitness modalitiesNature CuresWater CuresMassageMassage oilsAcupressure, ShiatsuAcupunctureAyurveda TreatmentsAyurvedic Medicine Each of these has its own distinctive characteristics and many have been used for thousands of years to the benefit of mankind.
With these characteristics we then have the talents of the professionals and traditional healers to bring their Creativity into the mix and bring us the above solutions and even Traditional Medicine in new and often times enlightened ways.In today's spas, we find each new day, resort or hotel spa finding their personal niche to bring us something we can never have anywhere else but there.
Now, we can take a vacation, pick the herbs and flowers to be used in our treatment, have the treatment by moonlight on a mountain top and take home recommended products to create our own spa experience when we return home.We can also build our own preventative medicine recipe for personal health and wellness. We can get wholesome, organic foods at our local Natural Health Stores and support others with a similar vision, and we can learn how to create an experience ourselves to integrate into our own customized regime rather than relying on fad like 'diets'.
When we look at Preventative Medicine today, it takes on many forms that we know as breast and prostate exams, regular annual checkups for the body, eyes and our teeth, elder-care, anti-aging screenings and classes, etc. If we are lucky enough to have comprehensive and affordable health insurance, all of these are no-brainers. For those who are not so lucky, it's important to start young and have a good plan for how to keep your eyes sharp, your teeth intact, your body strong and nutrient rich and your brain challenged from youth into your senior years.Not many of us live on a farm like our grandparents and are able to grow our own food, have a farmers market to frequent during the week or have access to good food basics less the chemicals and additives that promote disease. I challenge you who are reading this to create a farmers market in your city, town or village if there isn't one. In the old days we called them Food Co-ops.
When I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Malaysia and work at Pangkor Laut Resort and Sylvia Sepielli, I had to reduce my two bedroom apartment to three suitcases, which is not as easy task. My biggest concern was keeping Malaria and other mosquito related diseases from my door.What I realized is, I needed to be sure I could prevent anything related to water, mosquitoes, pigs, cobras and jellyfish that would impact my health while working and living there. I then looked in my personal toolbox and my Aromatherapy collection. Aromatherapy and herbs are the primary tools I have used in my own Preventative Medicine chest that also included Yoga, Meditation, Massage and Shiatsu, Chiropractic and Macrobiotic cooking (similar to Japanese cuisine).
Also, lots of water, exercises including hiking, swimming and biking, and organic foods can be used as a form of Preventative Medicine.I was able to put together a very specific Travel Kit that would meet all my presupposed needs including cuts, bruises, bites, minor burns, stress, sun protection, allergies and congestion. My kit included Calendula for the skin, Arnica for bruising, Eucalyptus for respiratory issues, Peppermint for sleep and intestinal issues, Rosemary for physical and muscular problems, Lavender to treat mosquito bites, Rose for the skin, Lemon for antiseptic, Chamomile for women's health and Tea Tree for everything else! It is simple to pack these essentials due to oils being very concentrated - you only need a few drops for what ails you.
What is very exciting now is that everyday groups and companies are focusing on Preventative Medicine to improve energy and physical performance, body composition and strength, complexion and immune function, sexual vitality, blood pressure, cholesterol and mental sharpness.Today in 2010, preserving our youth and preventing chronic disease is catamount. Degenerative diseases can certainly be prevented or at least delayed if we will just focus on what makes this amazing machine, called our body, do what it does best with some very simple tools to maintain it. How long would your car run if you constantly put pancake syrup and mustard in it instead of gas and oil?Well, our bodies are absolutely the same. Heart attacks, cancer, strokes, Alzheimer's and diabetes can all be staved off if we are more conscious of our consumption of poor food choices, alcohol, drugs, smoking, lethargy, weight gain and mental and physical stress. As we damage our bodies and minds on a cellular level, the organs will surely start to spiral down while our defenses also break down, and we celebrate yet another birthday with wrong thinking and choices to keep it strong.
As we are noticing, the global spa industry is having a major impact with new ideas for better health and wellness, fitness, nutrition and beauty. With the emergence of medical and health tourism, spas are gearing up for new roles in healing, life-work balance, anti-aging and integrating innovative experiences for the Boomers and Gen X & Y's alike. In our challenging and turbulent economy, the industry continues to think out of the box and redevelop in ways that range from sustainable to the indigenous and the preventative.How are you using Preventative Medicine today to improve your life tomorrow? If all the above are a little too hard or you don't have the time, then at least start out eating right on a budget that's not impossible.Consider these 4 inexpensive foods to start off with and that you should eat every day to maximize your good health:1. Leafy Greens2. Nuts3. Garlic, Onions & Ginger4. Whole GrainsLive well and be inspired
